Noblesville’s Aiden Reynolds is embracing a leadership role as he enters his senior season for the Millers. Reynolds is committed to Indiana University. (Photo courtesy WISH-TV)
By CHARLES HUIRAS
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
Noblesville senior infielder Aiden Reynolds is playing in his last season of high school baseball, but his impact on the Millers program will be remembered.
As Reynolds enters his senior year, he’s helped the Millers to a 64-28 record during his time in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference, one of the toughest conferences in the state.
Reynolds, an Indiana commit, has an on-base percentage just below .500 for his career.
As one of the older guys on the team, Reynolds was asked if he’s started to embrace his leadership role.
“Definitely,” Reynolds said. “Last year I kind of felt it a little bit, I was a junior. We were a little young last year so I felt that leadership role, but this year it’s definitely in full effect. This really feels like it’s my team. I have control and everybody sees me as the leader… I’m definitely a lead by example guy.”
Head coach Justin Keever also described Reynold’s lead by example attitude.
“First of all, God blessed him with a lot of ability,” Keever said. “But also on top of that, he works very hard at his craft. He’s in the gym, he’s in the cages, he’s working not only offensively but defensively to be the best player he can be. From his first day with us he’s been at the top of our order. It’s been cool to see him mature, not only as a baseball player but as a teammate too.”
To be one of the states most talented players, being successful in the batters box is a big part of it.
“My biggest strength is definitely at the plate,” Reynolds said. “I think a lot of pitchers in this conference don’t like facing me. I think I saw that a lot last year, I didn’t get a lot of pitches to hit, and I think I’ll see that even more this year.”
Coach Keever agrees.
“His pitch recognition is high level,” Keever said. “He’s able to discern a ball from a strike. And then when he gets his opportunity he doesn’t miss it very often. He’s a guy that will punish mistakes, and his extra base hit frequency I think gives him that ability to swing at more pitches.”
Looking past Reynolds talent on the field, Coach Keever is even more proud of who Reynolds is as a person.
“He’s incredibly down to earth,” Keever said. “He’s a guy that’s easy to talk to, and he’s kind of quiet. He engages his teammates, he engages his coaches, he’s coachable. He’s got really good parents, and we’ve been very fortunate to have him in our program these last four years.”
After Reynolds wraps up his senior year with the Millers, he’s certainly excited about playing at the next level down in Bloomington.
“I’m super excited for that,” Reynolds said. “I’ve been committed there [IU] since I was a freshman here. Ever since then, I’ve been looking forward to it. I have frequent contact with the IU coaches. Every day I look more forward to it. I’m super excited for it.”
Noblesville’s season began on March 30, with the regular season running until the end of May.
This story originally appeared on WISH-TV at wishtv.com/sports/athlete-of-the-week-noblesvilles-aiden-reynolds.
